The number of dwellings approved in Australia fell by 1.3% in July 2018 in trend terms, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Among the states and territories, dwelling approvals fell in July in Victoria (4.3%), New South Wales (2.2%), South Australia (0.6%) and Queensland (0.3%) in trend terms.
Dwelling approvals rose in trend terms in the Australian Capital Territory (12.2%), Tasmania (5.1%), Northern Territory (4.5%) and Western Australia (1%).
According to director of construction statistics at the ABS, Justin Lokhorst, "The fall was mainly driven by private dwellings excluding houses, which decreased by 1.8% in July. Private sector houses also fell, by 0.9%."
Private sector house approvals fell in Victoria (2.4%), South Australia (0.9%), New South Wales (0.7%) and Queensland (0.3%) but rose in Western Australia (1.1%).
In seasonally adjusted terms, total dwellings fell by 5.2% in July, driven by a 6.6% decrease in private dwellings excluding houses. Private houses fell 3% in seasonally adjusted terms.
The value of total buildings approved fell 1.2% in July, in trend terms, and has fallen for eight months. The value of residential building fell 1.8% while non-residential building was flat.
